Patrick to end career with Daytona 500, Indy 500 runs

In 2015 and 2016, she finished the Cup Series season in 24th place, her best overall season finish. Patrick does not have a NASCAR contract for next season.

"I don't necessarily feel like I was pushed into doing this, ' Patrick said while sobbing".

Patrick also drove in 115 career IndyCar races during her full-time career as an IndyCar driver from the 2005 season to the 2011 season.

Danica Patrick will return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway to race in the 2018 Indianapolis 500. Chip Ganassi Racing is her likely landing spot for that race, as the team is just a two-car full-time team for the first time since 2010, but they have plenty of resources to field a third entry in the Indy 500, especially since they have been a four-car full-time team in five of the last seven seasons.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Her eighth-placed finish in the 2013 Daytona 500 is the best finish by a woman in that race, which she started on pole.

"This will be my last season as a full-time driver", the 35-year-old Patrick told a news conference as tears ran down her face.

"I feel like this is where my life should be headed, and sometimes we just get nudged there", Patrick said. My plan is to be at Indy, and then I'm done.

Patrick will not be driving in the Daytona 500 for Stewart-Haas Racing, team co-owner Tony Stewart told AP. "I think it's going to be a great way to cap it off". SHR replaced her with Aric Almirola. "Especially with me and the sponsor situation". You see me as really (expletive) tough.

"It would always be great to have her back to drive at Indy", said Rahal.

Patrick's fame was launched in IndyCar, and her relationship with former sponsor GoDaddy made her one of the most recognizable female athletes anywhere, from Super Bowl commercials to race days in the green-and-black firesuit.

"It made me think about things and so I'm excited about the next phase. I want to be remembered for the things that went well".